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ube

úbe with stress marks

purple yam

noun U-be Native origin Common

Usage Note

Ube is a vibrant purple yam native to the Philippines and one of the most iconic Filipino flavors. It is used in a wide range of desserts — halaya (ube jam), ice cream, pandesal, and cakes. Ube has gained international popularity as a distinctive Filipino ingredient, often celebrated for both its striking color and sweet, slightly nutty flavor.

Examples

Beginner

" Gusto ko ng ube ice cream. "

Natural Translation

I want ube ice cream.

Literal Translation

Want I of ube ice cream.

Intermediate

" Paborito ko ang ube halaya lalo na kapag malamig. "

Natural Translation

Ube halaya is my favorite, especially when it's cold.

Literal Translation

Favorite my the ube halaya especially when cold.

Advanced

" Tuwing may handaan sa amin, laging may ube halaya na niluluto mismo ng aking lola. "

Natural Translation

Whenever there's a celebration at our place, there's always ube jam that my grandmother cooks herself.

Literal Translation

Every there-is feast at us, always there-is ube jam that cooking itself by my grandmother.

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